The words on the wreath were simple: "To my dearest mum. At last returned to our lovely church."

For the family of Gladys Hammond this brief message finally signified the end of 18 months of torment.

When Mrs Hammond's body was dug up by animal rights activists, the crime horrified the nation.

Yesterday the 82-year-old's remains were reburied at St Peter's Church in Yoxall, Staffordshire, during a private ceremony, nearly nine years after her first funeral.

The main road through Yoxall was closed off while the coffin arrived, covered in blue and pink flowers and police closed off the churchyard while the burial took place.

The service was led by Rev Jenny Lister who conducted Mrs Hammond's original funeral.

In a statement released through Staffordshire Police before the funeral, Mrs Hammond's daughters, Janet Palmer and Margaret Hall, said they hoped life could begin to return to normal for the family and the community.

They said: "The past 18 months have been dreadful. We are extremely relieved to have been able to return our mum to her resting place at St Peter's.

"We again send our thanks to Staffordshire Police for their outstanding work on the investigation and in achieving the return of mum's remains. We hope that life for us, and the local community, can now return to normal."

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Baker, who led the Staffordshire Police investigation, expressed his sympathy for the family.

He said: "It is hard to imagine how it must feel to have to bury a loved one for a second time. Our thoughts are with the family on this difficult day.

"We hope they draw comfort from knowing that Mrs Hammond has been safely returned, and that it gives them the strength to put such a shocking ordeal behind them."